Wednesday’s shootings brought the total number of Palestinians killed since Oct. 1 to 32. Seven Israelis have been killed in the same period.

In light of the recent escalation of violence, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stated in a speech Wednesday evening, “we are asking for our rights, justice and peace, we do not commit aggression on anyone and we do not accept aggression against our people, our nation and our holy places.”

Abbas continued, “we will continue our legitimate national struggle, which is based on our right to defend ourselves and on non-violent popular resistance and political and legal struggle.”

Abbas stated that many Palestinians have “paid a big price,” but assured that it is the “price of our freedom, which is around the corner.”

“Peace, security and stability will not be achieved unless the occupation ends and a Palestinian independent state with its capital East Jerusalem on the borders of the fourth of June 1967 is established.”